The retailer is to shut down stores in three Lincolnshire towns 

Marks and Spencer has confirmed that it is to close branches in Grantham, Skegness and Scunthorpe. 

The announcement reveals that stores will cease trading early next year, despite campaigns waged in all three towns to halt the plans.  The supermarket chain said that sales at the stores have been falling for years threatening their commercial viability. 

 The resistance to the closure in Skegness led to more than 20,000 signing a petition. Avril Smith, former manager of the store there, commented: “We are very disappointed indeed…I personally think they [Marks and Spencer] are making a grave mistake because this business won't go elsewhere.”

 The chain said it had spoken with employees and listened to view and suggestions, as well as hearing those made by local residents, but that none of the proposed ideas would have made the stores sustainable in terms of profit. 

 More than 100 posts will be affected.